1923
2013
Bruno Bonetto
Our Dad's journey began on Dec. 19th 1923. It was a journey of 89 years. He was surrounded by the ones he loved and those who loved him on September 22nd 2013 when he left us to go Home.
He was the second child born to Italian immigrant parents, Batista and Dina Giovanetto. His father died when Dad was 1 year old and his mother later married Anton Bonetto who raised Dad and his sister Blanche, who was 2 years older. In 1934 they decided they liked the farm life and for six years leased lands before settling on the present family farm on the Teanaway River.
Dad attended schools in Roslyn and Cle Elum. It was at the Ballard School (presently the Swauk Teanaway Grange) his teacher introduced him to Campbell's Soup. Following school he entered the military. He proudly served 13 years with the Navy and Coast Guard and is a WWII and Korean War veteran. In 1954 he received an honorable discharge following the death of his father. While in the service he met and married a Finnish young lady named Elma Maijala. They moved to the family farm on the lower Teanaway where they raised their two children Tony and Renee'.
While Mom ran the dairy and hay farm, Dad drove long haul trucks. Later on he got the logging bug and drove a logging truck for many years. During this time he was hired by the WA State DOT as a temporary winter employee. This job eventually turned into a permanent position (a job he looked forward to going to everyday) where he retired as head mechanic in 1986.
Around 1972 Mom and Dad moved into town and became city folk, and I was lucky enough to be able to move back to the farm. Dad's pleasures in life were really quite simple. He loved to hunt in his younger years. And in his later years his and Mom's social life was primarily centered around the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star where they met many lifelong friends. Following retirement, his new job was THE FARM. He came out to the farm every day of the week and always had multiple projects going on at the same time. His grandkids thought he was the strongest man who could fix anything.
In 1996 after Mom died, his life and ours was never the same. The grandkids, the farm, and his morning coffee group were his lifelines. He attended all his grandkids sporting events and was their biggest fan. He especially enjoyed visiting with anyone he ran into, anywhere. He never met a stranger. He loved his family, his country, the Seahawks, Fox News, the Food Network, root beer floats and curly fries and his hats. He was never one to pass up a good deal, whether he needed it or not. He enjoyed reading his three newspapers.
Dad was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Blanche. He is survived by his son Tony (Gail) and daughter Renee' (Tip). Grandchildren, Kevin (Liz) Bonetto and Brian (Shannon) Bonetto, and their mother Chris (Bob). Dina Bonetto, Tony Bonetto, Nolan Maggs, and Landon Maggs. Great Grandchildren; Hannah, Tanner, and Riley; Alex, Christopher, Dylan, and Ali; Kelsey and Anthony. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be on Sunday, October 6th at 2:00 P.M. at the Cle Elum Community Church with reception following.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in memory of our Dad may be made to: The Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 West 5th St., Spokane, WA 99204 or The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Spokane, WA 99204, or a charity of your choice.
Condolences for the family can be left at www.cascadefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
October 18, 2013
I will never forget uncle Ben and aunt Elma, they were a huge part of my life along with my Grandmother. I Love you all. I wish I could have been there
LOVE YOU BOB
October 5, 2013
Tamara Lewis
He was a great man and it was a pleasure to know him. He is greatly missed!
October 4, 2013
We have lost a truly great man. As a member of the greatest generation, I salute you. Cory Armstrong, Kittitas
October 3, 2013
Nancy Graham
Oh, how we will all miss Bruno (Big B to me). What a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather, and friend he was to all of us. He and Laddie are snowmobiling hard in heaven! Bless you for the loving care you provided. Bruno truly had a wonderful life and now is reunited with his beloved Elma.
October 2, 2013
Cheri Marusa
Forever in my heart. A wonderful friend. ..
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Johnston & Williams Funeral Home & Crematory - Cle Elum201 N Harris, Cle Elum, WA 98922
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